Thinking back to January 1st, you perhaps set a new year’s resolution for yourself. Maybe it was to get fit, lose weight, save money, or eat better. Perhaps it was one, multiple, or a combination. So, how are you doing? Are you on track? Making progress? Have you already given up? Let’s revisit your new year’s resolution.
Unfortunately, by now most people have already given up on their resolutions. Why have you already given up or abandoned your new year’s resolution? Think about your own resolution, and think about your progress. Is it moving forward? Slowly? Stopped? Some of the main reasons you may have strayed from your resolutions include making unrealistic goals, not being prepared mentally to overstep hurdles and bumps along the way, or using fear or guilt as motivation.
So how do you reset and re-establish your new year’s resolutions to be successful?
Set specific goals. According to the American Journal of Health Promotion, the more specific you make your goal, the more likely you are to succeed. Setting goals too vague often leave you wondering how, when, and where to start—and no direction on how to get there. Instead of saying “I’m going to lose weight” say, “I’m going to lose 5 pounds in the next 6 weeks.” This will help you to know precisely what needs to be done and when, in order to be successful.
Don’t set too many goals. Focus on one or two goals or resolutions, and put a plan in motion to achieve them. You can always add or set new goals and resolutions as you succeed in others. Even your main overall goal can have mini-goal stepping stones along the way to make sure you reach your end result. If your overall goal is to lose 25 pounds this year, start by setting five, 5-pound goals spread out over the course of the year. This will keep you focused along the way, and give you a chance at a higher success of keeping the weight off!
Surround yourself with positive people. If you are with people who support you and your resolutions, you will be more successful and likely to succeed according to a study published by the American Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. Lack of support and negative people around you quickly lead you away from your goals. Sometimes, your first goal to succeed should be to surround yourself with those that are supportive and are interested in helping you achieve your goal!
Now that you’re refocused, and re-motivated, get out there and achieve those goals!
Get Started! Tell us about your goals!
By Melissa Radmer, Group Exercise & Fitness Director at Elite Sports Club-West Brookfield
Melissa Radmer has been a part of the Elite Sports Clubs team since 2002 and is now the Fitness & Group Exercise Director at the West Brookfield location. She holds a BS in Exercise Physiology and Exercise Leadership, as well as certifications as a personal trainer, Les Mills instructor, spinning, zumba, pilates and gravity training. She has a passion for multi-sport and endurance events, including half-marathons, triathlons, and the infamous Tough Mudder. Her main areas of focus are sports performance training, cardiovascular programming, and post-injury training.